"Rebuilding the convertible top hydraulic system"
Re: "Rebuilding the convertible top hydraulic system"
Yesterday, I went to cycle the top for the first time this season as it was decent weather in upstate NY and I unlatched the header, windows rolled down, push the button and I could hear the system working(or trying to) but the rear deck wouldn't lift. Any suggestions? 
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Re: "Rebuilding the convertible top hydraulic system"
I bought a 2005 roadster knowing it had some top issues. I took it into a dealer this week who said two cylinders were leaking but the other should be replaced as well, to the tune of $600 each. I found two other shops in the Naples, Florida area that should be able to do the work. Love the car otherwise.
Re: "Rebuilding the convertible top hydraulic system"
Klaus at https://www.tophydraulicsinc.com/en/29-chrysler- will rebuild all 5 cylinders for $750 total.
Klaus is a great guy, many forum members have used his services and are 100% satisfied.
Klaus is a great guy, many forum members have used his services and are 100% satisfied.
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Re: "Rebuilding the convertible top hydraulic system"
I bought a 2005 roadster knowing it had some top issues. I took it into a dealer this week who said two cylinders were leaking but the other should be replaced as well, to the tune of $600 each. I found two other shops in the Naples, Florida area that should be able to do the work. Love the car otherwise.
Do not go into this ill prepared and waste money. Research your subject or you will be taken to the cleaners. Member Pizzaguy can help you out on here.
Auto shops see you as a stack of money and wonder how much they can peel of you.
Re: "Rebuilding the convertible top hydraulic system"
There are probably better options available use search and save money. Get the cylinders rebuilt as required and then put them in yourself or get them installed.
Do not go into this ill prepared and waste money. Research your subject or you will be taken to the cleaners. Member Pizzaguy can help you out on here.
Auto shops see you as a stack of money and wonder how much they can peel of you.
Do not go into this ill prepared and waste money. Research your subject or you will be taken to the cleaners. Member Pizzaguy can help you out on here.
Auto shops see you as a stack of money and wonder how much they can peel of you.
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Don't I know it... Guilty as 'self' charged. Hey, being aware of oneself, isn't that an improvement? There IS hope! Join Date: Aug 2016
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Re: "Rebuilding the convertible top hydraulic system"
I removed the left and right main lifting cylinders this morning following the instructions here. It went pretty smoothly and I'll ship them off to Klaus at TopHydraulics today.
Both cylinders were leaking. I'll keep my fingers crossed that the rebuilt cylinders will do the trick.
When I got finished, I ended up with the top down and stowed away and the tonneau lid locked down. I reconnected the battery. Everything fired back up okay. (Radio presets were gone on my Kenwood.) But, I've got a fast blinking red light on the up/down switch for the top. No beeping while sitting still or going over 10 mph. I don't know if the system for the top is upset that I have removed the two cylinders or if disconnecting the battery did something to the convertible top control module's brain or if it is just telling me that the top is totally inoperable at the moment. Not a big deal, I hope.
Both cylinders were leaking. I'll keep my fingers crossed that the rebuilt cylinders will do the trick.
When I got finished, I ended up with the top down and stowed away and the tonneau lid locked down. I reconnected the battery. Everything fired back up okay. (Radio presets were gone on my Kenwood.) But, I've got a fast blinking red light on the up/down switch for the top. No beeping while sitting still or going over 10 mph. I don't know if the system for the top is upset that I have removed the two cylinders or if disconnecting the battery did something to the convertible top control module's brain or if it is just telling me that the top is totally inoperable at the moment. Not a big deal, I hope.
Re: "Rebuilding the convertible top hydraulic system"
It's a MIRACLE! The top works!
It nice that Klaus, at TopHydraulics, is in the business of miracles. He rebuilt the left and right main lifting cylinders in one day and got them right back to me. Thanks Klaus!
Plus, thanks to the multitude of folks who post their experiences and expertise here.
Now if the temperature will just stop exceeding 100 deg F every day, I might be able to drive around with the top down.....
It nice that Klaus, at TopHydraulics, is in the business of miracles. He rebuilt the left and right main lifting cylinders in one day and got them right back to me. Thanks Klaus!
Plus, thanks to the multitude of folks who post their experiences and expertise here.
Now if the temperature will just stop exceeding 100 deg F every day, I might be able to drive around with the top down.....
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Re: "Rebuilding the convertible top hydraulic system"
I think you're in the thread that describes removing the hydraulic cylinders. Go to the top page of "Rebuilding the convertible top hydraulic system". https://www.crossfireforum.org/forum...ic-system.html
You might find some additional info at the link below for "Convertible Top Hydraulic Purge". https://www.crossfireforum.org/forum...lic-purge.html
And this thread might give you some other information: https://www.crossfireforum.org/forum...reservoir.html
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Re: Bad News and Good News
Unhappily, the bad news more than offsets the good news.
The good news is that my latest fix for the Tonneau Side Flap Cable worked.
The bad news is I cannot determine what is causing the top hydraulic system not to function. I have checked my installation of the rebuilt pump and cylinders and all looks correct. Manual opening and closing of the top works normally, but when attempting to use the system, nothing happens after the automatic lowering of the windows except an intermittent flashing of the red LED in the top control toggle switch and a beeping. Also, the red LED stays on after the unsuccessful attempt. (I have since again unplugged the PTCM to get rid of the light). There is no evidence of leaking and no sounds that I would associate with latches opening or operation of the hydraulic pump.
I will make one more check of the wiring associated with the latches and will check fuses that protect the PTCM (after I figure out where it/they are).
Absent any other ideas, I think I will will have to approach a dealer with this. To diagnose the system would take a DRB III Scan Tool (prohibitively expensive and hard to find) configured to work on a Crossfire so as to read the DTC's associated with the PTCM. No doubt I will pay dearly for their analysis.
The good news is that my latest fix for the Tonneau Side Flap Cable worked.
The bad news is I cannot determine what is causing the top hydraulic system not to function. I have checked my installation of the rebuilt pump and cylinders and all looks correct. Manual opening and closing of the top works normally, but when attempting to use the system, nothing happens after the automatic lowering of the windows except an intermittent flashing of the red LED in the top control toggle switch and a beeping. Also, the red LED stays on after the unsuccessful attempt. (I have since again unplugged the PTCM to get rid of the light). There is no evidence of leaking and no sounds that I would associate with latches opening or operation of the hydraulic pump.
I will make one more check of the wiring associated with the latches and will check fuses that protect the PTCM (after I figure out where it/they are).
Absent any other ideas, I think I will will have to approach a dealer with this. To diagnose the system would take a DRB III Scan Tool (prohibitively expensive and hard to find) configured to work on a Crossfire so as to read the DTC's associated with the PTCM. No doubt I will pay dearly for their analysis.
How did you get your top to work again after your refurished the hydraulic system?
I have the same problem, with my top. Flashing light and all . . .
Thanks
drydock
Re: "Rebuilding the convertible top hydraulic system"
Subscribed here: I'm having similar issues. Had all 7 hydraulic cylinders rebuilt. I reinstalled them. I know all the hydraulic lines are hooked up in the correct positions thanks to Klaus' information that the but end of the cylinder takes the even numbered hose and the shaft end of the cylinder takes the odd numbered hose. BUT I may have (and probably did) reverse re-installation of the of the travel sensors on the main lift cylinder and/or on the bow lift cylinder (no way to tell from looking at the wiring harness or at the wiring colors which way they go). I've switched around those travel sensors (more than once) but just can't seem to get things working correctly. I've been communicating with Klaus to try and resolve things. WOW is he great or what! INSTANT responses and patiently willing to help!
He's really trying but this is not an area of expertise for me . . . It's always going to be difficult trying to help a "dummy" (me) who's on the opposite side of the country. I'm still struggling with this. . .
He's really trying but this is not an area of expertise for me . . .
It's always going to be difficult trying to help a "dummy" (me) who's on the opposite side of the country. I'm still struggling with this. . .
Last edited by RED DOG; 12-21-2018 at 06:26 AM.